Man it's not just the seasons being too close. The episodes are jam packed. I got behind and stayed behind. I was trying to catch up over Christmas, and plowed through to the start of the live shows. Unfortunately, before I could finish, a stupid honking talk show repeat that was on in the background while I was doing stuff around the house reveals the winner (I had avoided the thread and all media til I could get through the episodes). So I just deleted the remaining 20 or so hours I had to watch. There's too much going on to deal with 4-5 hours of this per week. I'm probably not watching this anymore, because I have no hope of keeping up with the weekly content.

I noticed they really played up the judges' interaction which I think was a good thing. Now after a couple of weeks it gets old and boring but like the first few days of school it's always nice to see everyone and spend some time with them.

If past seasons are any indication, they saved the best singers for the last chair round or two .. at least I hope so ..

The Blake Bionic Finger is getting a little old .. and the medley of Coach songs had to be a mixed video edit, because during one very short spot, Blake was sweating and then was suddenly dry .. I'm tellin' ya, you get Blake on stage with Shakira and he's .. well, use your imagination ..

I'm hoping Shakira or Usher wins this season ..

Uncle Willie

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?

We are actually enjoying it quite a bit so far. I think the biggest difference is not in this show, but in the fact that we finally stopped watching Idol, so we are not as fatigued by the whole genre this time around. It would be even better if they only had it once per year.

We are actually enjoying it quite a bit so far. I think the biggest difference is not in this show, but in the fact that we finally stopped watching Idol, so we are not as fatigued by the whole genre this time around. It would be even better if they only had it once per year.

Well, I dropped in on Idol for a few minutes yesterday as I was channel flipping .. although it seems to have gone thru a few changes (which almost, in a way, seem to emulate another show .. ) .. it still seemed contrived and staged .. I had not watched any of it since the Steven Tyler season ..

My biggest beef with The Voice is the twice a year bit .. it seemed like we just finished last season and here we are again ..

I believe Shakira and Usher are better mentors / coaches than CeeLo and Xtina .. CeeLo is just way off in left field sometimes and Xtina wants us to know just how much a Diva she is .. although she did seem to tone it down some last season ..

I also think Shakira and Usher make for better TV ..

Uncle Willie

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?

Last season got a bit stale for me but this season has been much better. Usher and, especially, Shakira bring so much more to the table than Cee lo and Christina. They are both funny and vibrant and that lets Blake and Adam really cut loose in their often hilarious Bromance act. One of the funniest moments occurred when Blake and Shakira were battling for a singer and Adam and Usher stepped off the side wildly and hyper-adoringly applauding everything that Shakira uttered. It was good stuff. The contestants seem pretty strong and if the teaser clips of the battle rounds are any indication, the coaches are going to have some very difficult decisions to make.

Celo was hard to take since he has no talent at all.
Xtina was very annoying and was muted in our house

Usher is ok save for him mentioning that a hole Justin Bieber evey other show
But at least with Shakira you can tell she is intelligent even through her accent

As for the show being fixed well that would be no shock to me

I'm guessing there are at least a few of the music buying public that believes he has talent ..

All shows of this type have a degree of being fixed .. the voting public is led in one way or another to the particular contestant that the producers would like to win .. and it's generally the one they think can be the most commercially successful, not necessarily the best singer ..

Now that the blinds are over and the Battles begin, it's moving into one of my personal favorite parts .. "Let the Battles Begin .. "

Uncle Willie

Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?

Usher is ok save for him mentioning that a hole Justin Bieber evey other show

I wonder if he's still proud of that worthless punk now.

I'm sorry, but what were the coaches on last night because I might want some to make me as delusional as they were. In what world was that final battle of Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" even close to being good? That SUCKED from both contestants, yet all the coaches praised it like it was the greatest thing they've ever heard.

That was definitely one battle that should have been relegated to the highlight clips.

I'm sorry, but what were the coaches on last night because I might want some to make me as delusional as they were. In what world was that final battle of Steve Winwood's "Higher Love" even close to being good? That SUCKED from both contestants, yet all the coaches praised it like it was the greatest thing they've ever heard.

That was definitely one battle that should have been relegated to the highlight clips.

My wife and I had the same thoughts. Saw Steve Winwood last year, the performances last night were cringe worthy in comparison.

If you compare a cover to an original, and often iconic original, you are spring-loaded to be disappointed. IMHO, it is the object of the process in enjoying music to be entertained, not to be critical. Turning down my overly developed critical nature helps the process, when I can manage it, especially in talent shows. I save plenty of room to be wowed by the exceptional though.

If you compare a cover to an original, and often iconic original, you are spring-loaded to be disappointed. IMHO, it is the object of the process in enjoying music to be entertained, not to be critical. Turning down my overly developed critical nature helps the process, when I can manage it, especially in talent shows. I save plenty of room to be wowed by the exceptional though.

It's not so much comparing it to the original, as I expect these singers to put their own spin on things, but to me both of their vocals sucked. IMO it did not sound good at all, regardless of what style they chose.

I'm not really blown away by anyone I've seen so far. I might not be paying attention too well, though. No one has stood out for me.

I feel bad for Shakira though, if Adam or Blake and Shakira have pushed buttons, no one will choose her. She seems really smart too. I want to see her win just to shut these guys up about winning in the past.